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Hampton, Va. - Fly Wynder, a 76-year-old Hampton man, says he purchased a gun in 1965 for $12 and never pulled the trigger. That all changed on Tuesday when he says he found a suspected burglar hiding out inside a closet in his barber shop.

Police say the incident happened on December 10th. At around 1:59 a.m., Hampton police received a 911 call reporting a burglary at a home in the 100 block of Patterson Avenue.

When police arrived, officers spoke with Wynder, who told them he heard loud noises and suspected an attempted burglary.

Officers found a broken window in the back of the home and then searched for the suspect. They were unable to find him and the proceeded to take a report.

At 2:41 a.m., officers left the residence, but continued searching the area.

After searching again, Wynder says he actually found the suspect lying down in a closet, which was located in a barber shop that is attached to the home.

"It just happened. When I reached down and saw the legs, I was just as scared as he was. He was in the closet, I had a gun," says Wynder. "And I shot him before I realized what I was doing."

Police say the suspect was shot once in the arm.

The suspect then ran away from the residence. Officers heard the gunfire and ran to the backyard, apprehending the suspect without any further incident.

The suspect, identified as 37-year-old John Buck Fields, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Police say he is homeless. Fields remains hospitalized but he is in the custody of Hampton police officers.

Fields will be served with warrants for one count of burglary once he is released from
the hospital.